Are you observing more and more organic foods at the grocery and wondering whether you should start buying them? Or, do you already buy organic foods but are wondering whether the higher cost is worth it?
The American Dietetic Association states that there is no scientific evidence to show that organic foods are healthier or safer than conventionally grown foods.
So why was more than $15 billion spent on organic foods in 2006? Many people believe that organic foods are healthier because of the way they are produced.
Foods that are 100% organic are produced without toxic pesticides, sewage sludge, antibiotics, growth hormones or irradiation. If the product is labeled 95% organic it means that the other 5% ingredients must be nonagricultural items that are on an approved list or products that are not available commercially in organic form.
Products with the seal, USDA organic, are certified organic and are either 100% or at least 95% organic. Anyone who falsely uses this label or description on their food is subject to a $10,000 fine.
Products that have at least 70% organic ingredients can state on the label that the product is made with organic ingredients, but they cannot use the USDA seal. Any product with less than 70% organic ingredients cannot be labeled organic.
Consumer Union categorized foods according to their cost benefit. Organic cherries, strawberries, nectarines, imported grapes, red raspberries, peaches, pears, potatoes, spinach, celery, bell peppers and apples were ranked as best bets. These twelve fruits and vegetables, referred to as the dirty dozen, carry much higher levels of pesticide than others according to researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a public watchdog group that advocates for organic farming.
They also feel it is worth the extra cost to buy organic beef, poultry, eggs and dairy.
The following foods are ranked by the EWG as providing marginal benefit if bought as organic: asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, kiwi, mangos, onion, papaya, pineapple and sweet peas. The research by EWG has rarely found pesticide residue on these foods.
Bread, oils, snack foods, pasta, cereals and other packaged foods like canned or dried fruit and vegetables do not need to be purchased as organic since there is little health benefit to eating the organic version. They also recommend that you should not bother buying organic seafood. This is because there are no standards set by USDA for seafood. Thus labels can be placed on wild or farmed fish stating they are organic even when the fish is contaminated with mercury and PCBs.
If you decide to go organic, you can make the decision more budget friendly by buying only those foods that are in the “dirty dozen” from a local organic producer or in the organic section of the grocery.
Keep in mind that organic doesn’t mean the food is healthy. You still need to be mindful of the calories and fat. “Natural”, “free-range” or “free-roaming” does not mean organic. Remember that you still need to wash all fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly with running water. Even organic produce has dirt and bacteria on it.
